Key Takeaways
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh.
- The decision follows attacks on Saudi airports by Houthi forces.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi security.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, citing the ongoing situation in the Middle East, according to a spokesperson.
The airline has advised passengers to contact the PIA call centre for the latest status of their flights.
The decision comes as fighting between Saudi and Houthi forces intensifies, with recent attacks on Saudi international airports, including the capital Riyadh.
On Wednesday, three people were killed in attacks on two Saudi international airports, with a Pakistani among the injured at King Khalid International Airport.
On Thursday, another attack on the Riyadh airport caused catastrophic damage to a plane, leading to the cancellation of 104 flights and the delay of 154 others, according to Flightradar24 data.
The attacks have resulted in the cancellation of 335 flights on Thursday alone, significantly impacting air travel to and from Riyadh.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the Gulf state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
The defence pact, signed on August 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one as an attack against all.
Pakistan, along with Turkiye, has agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in Saudi Arabia in response to the escalating tensions.
